I have an old laptop running XP. If I uninstall my internet provider, can I use the computer to store pictures on it? I want to use it as another source of hard drive space. If I can will I have to worry about infections?

Thanks for your help, Beverly

Dear Beverly,

All you need to do to disconnect your computer from the internet is to either unplug the ethernet cord, or if it is wireless, turn off the wi-fi.

Once your computer is disconnected from the internet, you can use it without fear of infections.

Using an older computer to store your photos does have it’s risks though. Older hard drives will eventually fail, and if your only copy of the photos is on that old hard drive, they will be lost. Be sure to have another, backup copy of your photos somewhere.

Elizabeth

It’s Your Turn: What do you think?
…. Share your experience in the comments box below.

Elizabeth Boston is a Web designer, Social Media Consultant and managing editor of, “Ask The Computer Lady”.
Connect with Elizabeth on Google+

“This computer will soon stop receiving Google Chrome updates because Windows XP and Windows Vista will no longer be supported.”

If I decide NOT to upgrade my Windows, what are the consequences?

Thank you! Tammy

Dear Tammy,

Computers running Windows XP are an attractive target for cybercriminals and malware writers, and as more and more time goes by without support and updates from Microsoft, your computer will become more and more insecure.

If you do decide to continue to use your XP computer, and you continue to keep it connected to the internet, you greatly increase your chances of your identity being stolen, or your files being held for ransom.

If you want to stay safe and continue using your Windows XP computer, you should disconnect it from the internet.

Windows Vista will still be supported until April 2017.

Elizabeth

It’s Your Turn: What do you think?
…. Share your experience in the comments box below.

Elizabeth Boston is a Web designer, Social Media Consultant and managing editor of, “Ask The Computer Lady”.
Connect with Elizabeth on Google+

My issue is that I am still using Windows XP, I know Microsoft stopped supporting it since April 2015, I also noticed that I can no longer update Java. Recently Firefox crashes frequently and if I use Internet Explorer the message I notice is that the version I am using is no longer supported by the site I go to. I have tried a few fixed to no avail.

Any suggestions until I purchase a new PC. I usually back up my files.

Thank you, Sherona

Dear Sherona,

As you are finding, it is getting harder and harder to run XP, and you are very lucky that you have not been infected with anything that would comprimise your files or your computer.

My suggestion for using the computer from now until you purchase a new one is to use a Linux CD and run the computer from that. Using a Linux Live CD, you can boot your computer to the CD, and use it without using XP at all. I have set this up for several of my customers who just couldn’t afford a new computer, and it held them over until they saved the money.

One of the easiest versions of Linux to do this with is Puppy Linux at: http://puppylinux.org/
Another version is Linux Mint at: http://linuxmint.com/

What you would do with either of these is to visit the website, download the .ISO file, use that file to create a CD, then use that CD to start your computer. If all that sounds intimidating, find a local computer shop like mine, and they should be able to create the disk for you and show you how to use it.

Elizabeth

It’s Your Turn: What do you think?
…. Share your experience in the comments box below.

Elizabeth Boston is a Web designer, Social Media Consultant and managing editor of, “Ask The Computer Lady”.
Connect with Elizabeth on Google+

I was thinking about getting Linux to replace Windows XP, which I know nothing about. They say the first thing you do is to decide which Linux you need. I will be surfing the internet, e-mailing, typing letters, and playing a few games (which I’m not sure if they will work with Linux or not).

Would you know what version of Linux would be best for what I call the average at home user such as myself?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

Using Linux is a great way to get more use out of an older computer, and there are a LOT of versions of Linux to choose from.

And finally, LXLE, which has an XP mode so that it will look more like the XP that you are used to.http://lxle.net/

I use Puppy at least once a week. When you download it, you use the file to burn a CD that you can boot the computer with, and use it without making changes to your hard drive. I usually use it to access customer files for backup and/or recovery.

No matter what version of Linux you try, you will be able to everything except your Windows games.

I am now running Vista on my older computer and an old Pfaff program 3D File Assistant will not run on Vista and will not run on Windows 7 or 8 ( this is the only way to get embroidery designs from my computer to my Pfaff machine) it runs fine on Windows XP so I am thinking of installing virtual Windows XP on my Vista machine and possibly on any new computer that I might have to purchase in the future.

Are there any reasons for not doing this?

I am fairly computer literate and this is something I think I can do, but I have never done before so I don’t know the pitfalls.

I think your newsletter is great, I have learned a lot.
Thanks, Priscilla

Dear Priscilla,

Before you decide to use Windows XP mode in Windows Virtual PC, you need to make sure your computer meets the system requirements, otherwise it won’t work correctly even though you might be able to download and install them.

According to the Microsoft website, you need to be running Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise or Ultimate edition. Windows 7 Home edition won’t work.

This should allow you to continue to use your embroidery software, but remember that the virtual XP will not be updated after April 8th either. I would suggest that you only run the virtual XP when you need to, and disconnect from the internet while using it.

Elizabeth

It’s Your Turn: What do you think?
…. Share your experience in the comments box below.

Elizabeth Boston is a Web designer, Social Media Consultant and managing editor of, “Ask The Computer Lady”.
Connect with Elizabeth on Google+

Please help me figure out what to do in April when I hear Microsoft will no longer support Outlook Express. Our computer dates from 2003 so I think it will be affected, but does it mean that OE will cease to exist? Besides OE for our emails, we do some web browsing with Mozilla and have a gmail account. Will they continue to work?

I have been a subscriber for many years and recommended you to many people.Thank you for all those years of good advice and I hope you will be able to help me with this problem.

Best wishes, Loretta

Dear Loretta,

In April, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates for Windows XP.

This does not mean that your computer will suddenly stop working, or that you will be unable to use it any more. However, it will mean that, as time goes on, your computer will be more and more susceptible to hackers and malware.

Until April of 2014, when hackers and malware creators find a way to get past the security in Windows XP, Microsoft comes back with an update that will block those attempts.

After April of 2014, hackers and malware creators know that once they find a way into Windows XP, there will be no counter measure from Microsoft, and all they have to do is find as many computer still running Windows XP as they can.

So, even though your computer will continue to work, it will be more and more vunerable as time goes on.

What can you do? Since the average computer lasts about 5 years, and yours is going on 11 years old, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to put much money into it. It would cost quite a bit to try and upgrade this computer to a newer version of Windows.

You can still continue to use this computer safely if you disconnect it from the internet, but that means that you wouldn’t be able to check your emails or go online.

A new computer with the latest in security updates would be the best solution, but if that is not an option, you might want to consider running some kind of Linux software when going online, and only using XP when you are disconnected from the internet. I sometimes set my customers up with a Linux CD that they can use when they want to go online safely.

As for your email, unfortunately, Outlook Express is no longer an option. It has been replaced in newer versions of Windows with Windows Mail, which is similar. Since you are already comfortable using Gmail, I would suggest that you set up your Outlook Express email address in Gmail (something that I can help you with if needed) and then use Gmail either on a newer computer or tablet or in Linux on your current computer.

Elizabeth

It’s Your Turn: What do you think?
…. Share your experience in the comments box below.

Elizabeth Boston is a Web designer, Social Media Consultant and managing editor of, “Ask The Computer Lady”.
Connect with Elizabeth on Google+

This is actually a multi-part question. An acquaintance purchased a used computer with Windows XP and found out later that the My Computer icon is missing. This person asked me for help, but I know almost nothing about XP so I can’t help.

My question is where the My Computer files actually live. What is the path? I do not see it under that name when I view hidden items in Windows Explorer (my OS is ME).
His question is how does he get it back? Will he need to re-install Windows XP? Luckily, he did get the restore disks with the computer.

Sincerely, Jeanene

Dear Jeanene,

I can tell how to put “My Computer” on the Start Menu in XP, but I am not sure I can answer your question about where the files actually live. The “My Computer” icon is not a shortcut, but a windows system icon.
In Windows XP, you can have the “My Computer” Icon show up on your “Start” menu this way:

1. Right click on the “Start” button and click on “Properties” from the menu that appears. This will bring up the “Start Menu Properties” window.

2. Make sure the top “Start Menu” is selected, not the “Classic Start Menu” option, and click the “Customize…” button. This will bring you to the “Customize Start Menu” window.

3. Click on the “Advanced” tab and look for the list of Start Menu Items. When you scroll down the list, you will see “My Computer” with several options beneath it. Click on “Display as a link” to select it, and click “OK” twice to save your settings.

If you want the “My Computer” icon on your desktop too, follow these directions:

1. Right click on a blank spot on your desktop and click “Properties”.

2. In the “Display Properties” window, click the “Desktop” tab and then click the button near the bottom that says “Customize Desktop”.

3. Click on the “General” tab and in the top section where it says “Desktop Icons” place a check mark in front of “My Computer”. Click “OK” twice to save your settings.

Elizabeth

It’s Your Turn: What do you think?
…. Share your experience in the comments box below.

Elizabeth Boston is a Web designer, Social Media Consultant and managing editor of, “Ask The Computer Lady”.
Connect with Elizabeth on Google+

It is possible to install Windows 7 on a computer that is currently running XP. If you do it correctly, you will have the choice when you first start the computer to boot into either the old version of Windows (xp) or the new version.

Before you get started though, you need to find out if the hardware on your XP computer is powerful enough to support Windows 7. Microsoft has a list of minimum requirements at:

I have an older HP windows XP, I want to take it back down like it was when I got it.

How do I save my Favorites? I have quite a few, and I would never know how to get them back, because it’s things I just run onto and then wanted to save them.

Please tell me step by step, because I’m not that good doing many of these things.

Thank you so much, I enjoy getting your emails very much.
Shirley

Dear Shirley,

Doing a clean install of Windows XP, (or any other version of Windows for that matter) is an excellent way to speed up an older computer, however it does require that you erase your computer in the process so saving your important files is necessary.

Fortunately, it is fairly easy to find and save your favorites.

Before we begin, I just want to specify, since you used the word, “Favorites” instead of “Bookmarks” I am assuming that you are using Internet Explorer as your web browser. Most other browsers refer to them as bookmarks, but IE calls them “Favorites”.

First, you need a device to save your favorites to. I would suggest a USB data stick, which can be purchased fairly inexpensively at your local office supply store.

Insert the USB stick into an available USB port on your computer. A small dialog box should pop up asking you what you want to do with the device, just click on “Open folder to view files”.

If the dialog box doesn’t pop up, just double click on “My Computer” on your desktop, then double click on the USB drive to open a window for it.

Now, you need to find your “Favorites” folder. Keep the USB drive window open, but move it to one side of your desktop.

Double click on “My Compter” again, then double click on your “C” drive, and double click to open the “Documents & Settings” folder.

In the Documents & Settings folder, you will see a list of users. Double click on the user name that is yours and you will see a list of folders.

Arrange the two open windows (Your USB window, and your User window) so that they are side by side on your desktop, then drag your “Favorites” folder from the user window to the USB window. Your computer will make a copy of the “Favorites” folder on the USB stick.

Before you close the windows, you can also drag your “Documents” folder, or any other folders that you might want to save as well.

Now, close both windows, and remove the data stick.

Once you have reloaded Windows on your computer, insert the data stick and repeat the steps above, only this time, drag the “Favorites” folder from the stick to your User Folder.

Elizabeth

It’s Your Turn: What do you think?
…. Share your experience in the comments box below.

Elizabeth Boston is a Web designer, Social Media Consultant and managing editor of, “Ask The Computer Lady”.
Connect with Elizabeth on Google+

I have Windows 7 but I want to know if I can also install windows XP on my computer as well.
My problem is the 4-card Keno program I want will only work on XP but not on windows 7.

I look forward to your email every week and keep telling everyone about your great newsletters and all the help you have been to me. This is the first time I have had a question that I could not find in your emails.

The short answer to your question is that you can’t install Windows XP on your Windows 7 computer… at least not without either erasing your entire computer, or upgrading to the premium edition of Windows 7 and installing a couple of complicated programs.

That doesn’t mean that it is impossible to do, but it would require a lot of work, and a lot of technical knowledge on your part.

There are two ways you can get Windows XP to work on your Windows 7 computer.

The first way is to set the computer up so that when it turns on, it gives you the choice between Windows XP and Windows 7.

To do this, you must first erase the entire computer, then install Windows XP and once the XP installation is finished, you can install Windows 7 again.

You would need to have installation disks, and license keys for both Windows XP and Windows 7. A recovery disk would not work since you would be setting up the computer differently from how the manufacturer set it up.

The second method would be to upgrade to Windows 7 Professional and then install Windows Virtual PC, and Windows XP Mode. Both of the Virtual PC and XP Mode are available to download from Microsoft, but you would need to purchase your upgrade to the Professional version of Windows 7, and you would also need a license key for XP.

Both of these methods are complicated to set up, and you would either need to be familiar with the process of installing Windows, or you would need to hire someone who is.

Microsoft designed the XP Mode for small and medium sized businesses so that they could continue to run their business software on newer computers.

Elizabeth

It’s Your Turn: What do you think?
…. Share your experience in the comments box below.